A DINGY BROWN HAZE enshrouds Spokane, Washington and registers “hazardous to your health” on the air quality index. The smoke from the burning western U.S. blew across our countryside early Saturday morning, and now it sits here without so much as a gentle breeze to move it out. Our Sunday church services went back to streaming until this danger clears.

I sorrow over the 500,000 displaced people evacuated from their homes in Oregon alone, and 5.5 million acres burned in the U.S., I can’t fathom the loss! How important to remain firm in our faith during these strange days of loss, confusion, and life in a “Twilight Zone.”

This week, I read Isaiah chapters 7-9 where the kings of Aram and Israel said, “Let us go up against Judah, terrorize it, and conquer it for ourselves” (Isa 7:6). God tells King Ahaz of Judah, “If you do not stand firm in your faith, then you will not stand at all.”

Isaiah goes on to warn Israel about something hazardous to their relationship with God. He says not to trust in an alliance of nations to save them or fear what those nations fear. “You are to regard only the Lord of Hosts as holy. Only He should be feared; only He should be held in awe” (Isa 7:13).

Then the LORD promised to give them a sign: “The virgin will conceive, have a son, and name Him Immanuel” (Isa 7:14), which means God With Us. God meant for this sign to point the way to their deliverance but became a stumbling stone and a trap because they refused to believe. Many stumbled over it, were broken, ensnared, and captured (Isa 8:14-15).

How interesting that 700 people gather today at the White House with national and Middle Eastern leaders to sign an alliance of nations called The Abraham Accord. Though God miraculously brought Israel back to her land, she continues in unbelief to this day, and if she does not stand firm in her faith to God, she will not stand at all. Jacob’s Trouble rushes to enter the world stage, a time when Israel falls for the Antichrist before she finally recognizes that her true Messiah was Jesus Christ all along.

If we do not stand firm in our faith in these troubled times, we shall also be deceived by the many voices and false narratives that bombard us. I think of our children and grandchildren growing up under powerful worldly deceptions in this evil day. Each person needs to make wise and godly decisions to survive spiritually. If blinded by worldly deceivers and taken over by lukewarmness toward spiritual truth, a deception hazardous to our spiritual health will nauseate God and keep us from standing at all.

The eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His… whose hearts are fully committed to Him (2 Chr 16:9).

The Apostle Paul tells us, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in His mighty power.” He tells us to wear the whole armor of God so we can stand against the devil’s schemes. He reminds us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, authorities, powers of this dark world, and evil’s spiritual forces. In this evil day, we must stand our ground, and after the dust settles and the smoke clears, to remain standing.

To remain strong, we need to dust off our Bibles and know the truth! We need our hearts protected from the Accuser by Christ’s righteousness alone. With a heart of obedience, a shield of faith, a helmet of salvation, and God’s living and powerful word, we stand firm. Oh, how important to pray in the power of God’s Holy Spirit for ourselves and our loved ones before hazardous apathy burns our lungs and blinds our eyes (see Eph 6:10-18).

Proverbs tells us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.” How tempting to trust other things, from masks to vaccines, to so-called experts, politicians, and our emergency stockpiles instead of in the Lord of Hosts. Only He should be feared and held in awe. He alone is our Refuge and Strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble (Isa 46:1).

Isaiah writes, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness… A child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be upon His shoulders, and He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, and Prince of Peace. The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end… The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this” (Isa 9:6-7).

What a tremendous promise and provision as we walk through this place of descending darkness so hazardous to our health! Truly the Son sets us free and empowers us to stand firm in our faith until we see Him in all His glory.

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love (1Cor 16:13,14).

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you… The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged (Deut 1:6,8).